The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

Barrett paused in his bite, looking at Luther with a slightly serious expression.

In his eyes, Luther was now someone who had reached the end of the path to becoming a strongman, and he longed to know more about the future scenery of this path.

"Understanding? Do you mean from my perspective, or from my attitude towards you?"

Luther smiled slightly and instead asked a question in return.

Barrett paused for a moment, then posed a specific question:

"Both, I suppose. How do you view Roger, and how do you view me?"

“Roger?” Luther chuckled and said something that pleased Barrett greatly. “The dead, regardless of the manner of their death, are no longer worth discussing in terms of strength or weakness, are they?”

Luther glanced at Barrett, who was silently eating his meat, and calmly added:

"Discussing Roger is something historians should consider, not something you and I should think about. Of course, if it's about reminiscing about old friends, there's no problem. But unfortunately, I'm not familiar with that ridiculous dreamer."

"A ridiculous dreamer... Hahaha, what a fitting name!"

Upon hearing Luther's assessment, Barrett laughed twice and downed the drink Reiju offered him in one gulp.

As Luther said, it is not something a strong person should think about when considering a dead person, a point he wholeheartedly agreed with.

"Then, what am I to you?"

Chapter 226 The So-Called Strongman

Barrett grinned, his probing gaze fixed on Luther.

He was eager to know why Luther had shown him all this.

Given Luther's strength and status, he shouldn't have said so much to him or shown so much; that wouldn't be the behavior of a strong person.

Since the other party did this, there must be a reason.

"you?"

Luther chuckled and countered with a question:

Do you think strong people should be solitary or social beings?

"Aloof!"

Barrett replied without hesitation:

"If a strong person is not aloof, then he is not truly strong."

To Barrett's surprise, Luther gently shook his head:

"No, I have a different opinion."

Why?

Barrett was puzzled, but he was eager to know Luther's answer.

"The strong, or perhaps more accurately, the independent, you see. If there are no weak people to serve you, then where does your strength lie?" Luther countered.

“I can beat everyone!” Barrett grinned.

“You’re nothing but a thug!” Luther chuckled.

“I can destroy a country with a flick of my wrist!” Barrett said, frowning.

“A high-level thug, or rather, a mercenary,” Luther chuckled.

“I can be powerful enough to rule a kingdom!” Barrett said solemnly.

“A king can rule a kingdom without any power!” Luther chuckled.

"I...!"

Barrett opened his mouth, but quickly became discouraged.

Upon closer reflection, it seems that his so-called strength is nothing special.

"Then tell me, what is a true strongman?"

Barrett was somewhat unconvinced and passed the question to Luther.

"The so-called strong..."

Luther chuckled softly:

"A person who enjoys nurturing rivals can be called a true strongman!"

"Ha, that's a novel perspective."

Barrett curled his lip in disdain, thinking that Luther's answer was inferior to his own.

The strong are naturally those who are stronger than others. If that's the case, then the strong must become even stronger, and what's the logic in mentoring others...?

and many more...

Barrett suddenly realized something, his eyes widened, and he looked at Luther in horror.

In a moment, he understood what Luther meant.

It is precisely because they are so strong that they have no rivals that they have the idea of ​​cultivating rivals.

If there were still competitors, how could they possibly have such an unreliable idea?

"Hmph, that's a pretty good explanation."

Barrett crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips.

Luther's words can be seen as an answer to his previous question.

This statement clearly implies that he also has the qualifications to be Luther's rival.

He was very unhappy that the other party looked down on him so much and even said that they would mentor him.

But if this person is Luther, he feels it is a matter of course.

After all, this is what a true powerhouse is!

"I'd love to know how you'll mentor me."

Barrett is more interested in his own future.

He also wanted to know how Luther actually cultivated his rivals.

"Your words are simple: just become stronger."

Luther chuckled; he hadn't had high expectations for Barrett to begin with.

Given Barrett's talent, reaching the level of Roger or Whitebeard would be considered his limit.

But in his eyes, that was all there was to it.

He is very strong, but not strong enough to cause any real trouble; in the end, he will only be a follower.

"Becoming stronger, that suits my taste."

Barrett grinned, seemingly quite satisfied with the answer.

For him, having to think about those complicated things is torture.

A direct and simple answer like Luther's was more in line with his wishes.

Becoming stronger and then defeating Luther will be his future goal.

......

a few days later.

Instead of returning to the Holy Land, the Don Quixote headed directly to Lateran, the new Fishman Island.

Laterano Island is located between the Navy Headquarters and Water Seven, boasting an excellent geographical location and a pleasant climate.

The island was originally occupied by pirates and bounty hunters, and after the establishment of the Kingdom of Jaya in Olvia, it was conveniently incorporated into its territory.

Furthermore, even before the World Conference, Luther had already begun having Olvia build Lateran.

Fishman Island was located not far from the Marine Headquarters, which was perfect for Luther.

He can react with lightning speed if anything unexpected happens.

If we were to actually place the new Fishman Island in the New World, it might actually give them some inappropriate ideas.

However, if this were to be expanded to the four seas, it would impact their ecosystems, something that neither Luther nor the world government would allow.

Fish-men's physique is just average compared to those on the Grand Line, but in the Four Seas, they rank in the upper-middle range.

Lateran Island is much more lively than it used to be.

When Luther's ship docked, Otohime, who had just arrived with the first group of migrants, greeted him with a smile:

"Teacher Luther, you've finally arrived!"

"How have you been lately? I hope Musgard hasn't given you any trouble." Luther smiled.

Barrett, who was following behind him, looked Otohime up and down.

Being able to call Luther "teacher" shows that he was not a weak person.

However, he could not sense any aura of a powerful person from Otohime.

He even felt that he could crush it with a single punch.

Otohime ignored Barrett's scrutiny and instead smiled and shook her head.

"His Highness Musegard has done me a great favor. If it weren't for his actions, the merfolk wouldn't have migrated to the New Merfolk Island so readily."

"That's good. You should know why I'm here."

Luther nodded slightly and got down to business.

He wasn't particularly interested in the construction of the new Fishman Island; he was only here to take Otohime to another place.

Sometimes, the title of Fishman Island Queen is more effective than his status as a Celestial Dragon.

"Of course! I'm happy to be able to help the teacher."

Otohime was like a child who hadn't grown up yet; she was incredibly happy to see that she could be of help.

"You take care of things here first. I'll stay here for two days, and then we'll head to Water City." Luther nodded slightly.